Electrohydraulic door operating system



Dec. 30, 1952 E. M. @REER 2,623,358

ELECTROHYDRAULIC DOOR PERATING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 16, 1949 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 INVENTOR.

EDWARD GREE/" Patented Dec. 30, 1952 ELECTROHYDRAULIC Doon OPERATING SYSTEM Edward' Greer, West Hempstead, N. as-

Sigllor to Greer Hydraulics, Inc., Brooklyn,

Application August le, 1949, serial Nolia'ss'i (ci. coi-51) Claims.

This invention relates to vanelectrically controlled hydraulic system :for operating fluid motors and more particularly to the combination of electrical and hydraulic apparatus to control and operate a plurality ot fluid motors such as hydraulically operated doors.

It is an object of this invention to utilize a hydraulic power unit that is connected `to a plurality of hydraulic control stations in which each control station is in turn connected to a fluid motor which may be the means of opening and closing a door.` u

Another object of this invention is to provide a hydraulic system connected to a plurality o f fluid motors for opening and closingr doors which includes a hydraulic power unitconnected to a plurality of hydraulic control stations, each control station in turn connected toa fluid motor.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a hydraulic:I power unit and a plurality of hydraulic control stations inwhich the power unit utilizes a small motor and a high pressure pump and fluid storage means is provided at each control station for storing suilicient fluid at a high pressure for producing the necessary work positioning st rolieV of the fluid motor connected to said control station;A n

A further object of this invention is to provide means to utilize a small volume high pressure uid pump in combination withV a plurality of storage accumula-tors and check valves to store sufficient hydraulic fluid under a yhi gh ressure for the operation of a plurality of fluid motors, each motor being separately connected to and operated by each storage accumulator.

A` further object ofJ this invention is to provide an electrical controlling system in combination with a hydraulic operating system for a plurality otiluid motors in which a vsmall volume high pressure fluid puifrlp sllblies hydulio -fluid to a plurality of AfluidJ storage accumulatore, and solenidoperated fluid valves `are 'used to control the now ror high prs ie noie to the said aon cumulators and to control the operation of the uuid `motors 'connected thereto in either of two diections.

A still further object ofthis invention is to provide an electrical control circuit `to control the operation of aplurality of solenoid operated liuid valves in combination* with a plurality of fluid motors, means tocontroltho iow of hydraulic flidA from a small volume high pressure lluid pump" through a first valve to each storage accumulator, means to shut ed the fluid flow to each accumulator through the first Valve CII 2 open `a second valve to permit a flow of` fluid from the acculnulatorxconnected therewith to the fluid motor associated with said accumulator to operate said fluid motor.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an electrical control circuit to control the operation of a plurality of solenoid operated lluid valves in combination with a plurality of fluid motors, means to control the flow of hydraulic lluid from a small volume high pressure iluid pump through a rst valve to each storage accumulator, means to shut off the fluid ow to each` accumulatorthrough the` rst valve and open a second valve to permit a ow of fluid from the accumulator connected therewith to the nuid motor associated with said accumulator to extend said fluid motor piston and means to close said second valve 'and open a third valve to permit a. flow of fluid to the iluid motor to retract said fluid motor piston.

IOther objects will be apparent by referring to the detailed description of this devicey and `its operation, as well as the accompanying drawings in which: n n Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic illustration of the electrical system and hydraulic system utilized to operate the' pluralityf of fluid motors,

Fig. 2 is a o'SS sectional view of a double solenoid operated hy'daulicvalve in which the three positions of the valve are illustrated,

Fig. 3 is a cijoss Vser'cti'on'al view of a single solenoid operated hydraulic valve illustrating the two Positions of the valve, and n Y Fig; 4 is a `cross sectional view of an unloader valve as utilized in the hydraulic system'.

Referring to Fig. 1, the uuid motor MA is illustrated and the electrical andhydraulic systern are schematically illustrated in' their association with the iluid motor I4A. It islof` course t0 be understood that the opration of th llid motor IAB and its piston I5B is identical to that of motor MA Vand will notb dsc'ibd. `The fluid motor MA is provided with two cylinder ports C3 and C4 and the solenoid operated valve ic is provided with a pair of similar ports ci and C2 connected directly to the ports' C3 and C4 of the fluid motor. The solenoid valve 'I0 in turn connected by a fluid line `I I8, to a check valve III, and on the opposite side of 'the `check valve by a line I 09, to the power unit. A storage accumulator II4 is also connected by a *line H5 to a check valve I I3 and in turn to the line II8. The line I I5 is also connected through a solenoid operated valve 8i) and on its opposite side to the lille IIB. A hydraulic power unit is illustrated from backing up into the accumulator.

in Fig. 1 and is comprised of a reservoir |00 with a filter IGI mounted therein. The filter is connected by means of a pipe |02 to a pump |03. A shut off valve is provided between the pump and the reservoir to permit both closing or opening this line. A motor is provided and connested to the pump I 03 to drive same. The motor |05 is controlled by a magnetic switch |05 and an on-oif control button |01, the magnetic switch |06 being connected to a source of potential (not shown). A pressure switch |20 is connected to line |08 so that a maximum predetermined fluid pressure in this line will cause switch |20 to be opened. Switch I 20 is in turn connected electrically to the magnetic switch |016, that is, it is normally connected in one of the power leads M or N to the magnetic switch and remains closed until a predetermined pressure from line |08 causes it to break. When the pressure in line |08 drops, the switch |20 again closes and the motor |05 will be started to again drive the pump |03. The fluid pump |03 is in turn connected on its pressure side by a line |08 to an unloader valve 00, the unloader valve, in turn, having a return line S1 connected to the reservoir |00. The pressure line |08 is also connected to a check valve 08, the check valve on its opposite side being connected by a line |09 to a liuid storage accumulator I I0 to take up surges in the line. The line |09 provides the connection to a plurality of units similar tothe one already described. The valve 10 is provided with two solenoids B and C, while valve 80 is lprovided with a single solenoid A. A main source of potenti-al M and N is connected to these solenoids by the necessary wiring. The line M is connected directly to each solenoid, while the line N is connected to one side of switch S. The switch S is provided with two taps I and 2, tap I is connected to the opposite side of solenoids A and C, while tap 2 is .connected to the opposite side of solenoid B. The switch S is normally in the neutral position shown in Fig. l. When switch S is connected to tap I solenoid A is energized and valve 80 closed, while solenoid C is also energized and valve 10 ispositioned according to position No. of Fig. 2.

It is apparent that when solenoid A connected to valve 80 is in its normal de-energized position and the valve will be open and the iluid pressure developed by the power unit and supplied through line I 09 will pass throughvalve 80 and be charged into the accumulator H4. When the accumulator I I4 is fully charged we are ready to operate the fluid motor MA. To operate the fluid motor we must close switch S to contact tap l and energize solenoids A and C, this closes valve 80 and opens valve 10 to provide fluid under pressure through port iCI to the fluid motor port C3 to eX- tend the fluid motor piston. During this operation the fluid under pressure in the accumulator IM will pass through the check valve I|3 to line II3, through the valve 10 and out port CI to the port C3 of the fluid motor MA. Thus with switch S contacting tap I the accumulator III! supplies the necessary fluid under pressure for the positioning stroke of the piston I5A. At the same time the accumulator is supplying fluid for this positioning stroke, the small velocity high pressure fluid pump |03 of the power unit will conltinue to provide fluid at the maximum pressure .necessary to complete the power stroke of the fluid motor. When the maximum pressure is reached, the check valve I I3 prevents the fluid To recontact tap 2, which in turn shifts valve 10 to an opposite position, No. 3 in Fig. 2 and provides iluid ow from the pressure port to port C2, then to the fluid motor port C4 to retract the fluid motor piston. At the saine time valve is opened due to solenoid A being de-energized, thus the pump will start to recharge the accumulator immediately. Since the retracting stroke takes a lesser pressure than the gas pressure in the accumulator, there is ample pressure available while the accumulator is being recharged by the pump. With this arrangement the pump starts to recharge the accumulator as soon as the switch S is moved to contact tap 2.

Referring to Fig. 2, we may follow the structure and operation of a double solenoid operated valve 10. The valve 10 in use will be mounted between a pair of solenoids B and C. The valve 10 is comprised of a housing 1| having four ports therein, P, R, CI and C2. A plunger 12 is centrally mounted in the housing 1| and is provided with extended metal portions 13 and 14 that extend out through the housing 1I into the soleno-ids B and C, and, in operation, control the positioning of the plunger 12 depending upon which solenoid, in turn, may be energized and when neither solenoid is energized the plunger 12 will assume a balanced or neutral position. The plunger 12 is provided with two enlarged lands 15 and 18. The internal portion of the housing 1| provides a bore 11 through which the plunger 12 is slideably fitted. There are three positions of the valve 10 which we will refer to as No. I, No. 2 and No. 3. In position No. I, with solenoid C energized, the lands 15 yand I6 will prevent the iiuid pressure port P (that is connected to the bore 11) from communicating with the return port R, which is connected to either end of the bore 11, while the land 10 prevents the pressure port P from communicating with the port C2, which is also connected to the bore 11. However, this leaves port CI, which is connected to the bore 11, communicating with the port P. Therefore, in this position fluid pressure will pass into the valve and out port CI, while a return fluid pressure returning through port C2 will pass into the valve and out port R. It is apparent that when solenoid C is de-energized the valve may be forced by a spring or otherwise to assume the position illustrated at No. 2, and when the solenoid B is energized the valve will assume the position illustrated at No. 3 in Fig. 2. When the valve assumes the position No. 3 the plunger 12 will re-route the flow of fluid through the valve so that pressure entering port P will pass into the valve and out port C2, while the return iiuid pressure flowing into port CI and into the valve will flow out the port R.

Referring to Fig. 3, which illustrates the single solenoid operated valve 80, this valve is normally in an open position, as illustrated in position No. I, and when the solenoid A is energized it will be in a closed position, as illustrated at No. 2. Valve 80 is comprised of a housing 8| having a valve plunger 82 mounted centrally therein. The plunger 82 has an extension 83, which extends outside the housing 8| into the solenoid A. The plunger 82 at its opposite end is provided with a valve face 84. The valve face 84 co-acts with a valve seat 85 in its closed position. A

vpair of chambers 86 and 81 in the housing 8| are separated by the valve 84 in its closed position. A pressure port P is connected to chamber 8B, while in line port L is connected to tract the piston ISA switch S must be moved to 751, chamber Bl. It is apparent that ud pressure s entering port P will normally flow through chamber 86 past the valve 84, through chamber 81 and out the line L, but when the solenoid A is energized the valve 34 will close and prevent the flow of fluid as described.

Referring to Fig. Ll, a pressure control valve is illustrated and is similar to the valve illustrated in the Patent Number 2,264,375, issued December 2, 1941, but in the particular use of the valve as illustrated there has been added to this valve a regulating handle 95 which permits a resetting of the pressure, so that the unloading pressure of this valve may be varied according to the required pressure desired in this system. Any other pressure control valve may be similarly controlled and used. More specifically, referring to Fig; 4, the pressure applied to this valve will continue to build up until the piston X is forced to move, moving against the resistance of the spring controlled by the handle 95, permitting the fluid pressure to build up to a maximum and having reached the maximum setting according to the spring resistance (as set by handle 9a), the piston X will be moved to the right until the poppet piston bore is uncovered. The fluid pressure will then lift the poppet piston Y which in turn will lift the poppet ball valve Z thus unloading this valve. Therefore, by the adjustment of handle a5, the maximum or minimum operating pressure in the hydraulic system illustrated in Fig. 1 may be set as predetermined.

Having described the apparatus and a complete sequence of operation according to the figures, it is apparent that this system may be applied to the operation of any pivotally supported member such as a door and this system may be modified Without departing from the spirit of this invention as long as a sufficient volume of fluid at a given pressure is stored in each accumulator to be utilized for the normal positioning operation of the hinged member (door) and a second high pressure is supplied directly by the pump to provide a positive closing or work operation of the fluid cylinder actuating the door, and this invention shall be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination of a fluid motor, a hydraulic fluid storage accumulator, and a hydraulic system which includes a small volume fluid pump to supply a high fluid pressure, a pair of solenoid operated valves, the first solenoid operated valve being normally open and connected between said hydraulic system and said fluid storage accumulator, the second solenoid operated valve being normally in a neutral closed position, means to charge fluid from said hydraulic system into said accumulator when said first solenoid operated valve is de-energized.

2. The combination of a fluid motor, a hydraulic fluid storage accumulator, and a hydraulic system which includes a small volume fluid pump to supply a high duid pressure, a pair of solenoid operated valves, the first solenoid operated valve being normally open and connected between said hydraulic system and said fluid storage accumulator, the second solenoid operated valve being normally in a neutral closed position but connected to said hydraulic system and connected to both ends of said fluid motor, an electrical operating system to control the energization of said pair of solenoid operated valves, said second solenoid operated valve being energized by said electrical system to either acca-ess of two open positions, said second solenoid operated valve being connected to one end of said fluid motor, when said second solenoid valve is energized at one end thereof to provide a large volume flow of fluid from said accumulator to said fluid motor to move the piston thereof, means to subsequently utilize the pressure supplied by said pump to provide the full stroke of said fluid motor, and means to de-energize said second mentioned solenoid operated valve and energize the opposite end of said second mentioned solenoid operated valve to connect said accumulator to the opposite side of said fluid motor to provide a fluid pressure supply to return said fluid motor to its original position.

3. The combination of a fluid motor and a first hydraulic fluid storage accumulator connected to said motor and a hydraulic system, said hydraulic system comprising a fluid reservoir connected to a small volume high pressure fluid pump, said pump driven by an electrical power motor, said fluid pump in turn connected to a fluid pressure regulator valve, said valve in turn being connected on its pressure side to a second fluid storage accumulator and to a check valve, said pressure regulator valve connected on its return side to the fluid reservoir, said hydraulic system connected to said rst fluid storage accumulator and to said fluid motor, a pair of solenoid operated -valves, the first solenoid operated valve being normally open and connected between said hydraulic system and said second fluid storage accumulator, the second solenoid operated valve being normally in a neutral position and connected between said hydraulic system :and said fluid motor, an electrical operating system to control the operation of said pair of solenoid operated valves, means to charge fluid from said hydraulic system into said second accumulator when said first solenoid operated valve is deenergized, means to charge fluid from said second accumulator to said fluid motor to extend same and at the same time charge fluid from said pump to said fluid motor, and means to charge fluid from said second accumulator to said fluid motor to retract same and at the same time charge fluid from said pump to said accumulator.

4. The combination of a fluid motor and a first hydraulic fluid storage accumulator connected to said motor and a hydraulic system, said hydraulic system comprising a fluid reservoir connected to a small volume high pressure fluid pump, said pump driven by an electrical power motor, said fluid pump in turn connected to a fluid pressure regulator valve, said valve in turn being connected on its pressure side to a second fluid stor- 1 age accumulator and to a check valve, said pressure regulator valve connected on its return side to the fluid reservoir, said hydraulic system connected to said first fluid storage accumulator and to said fluid motor, a pair of solenoid operated valves, the first solenoid operated valve being normally open and connected between said hydraulic system and said second fluid storage accumulator, the second solenoid operated valve being normally in a neutral position and connected between said hydraulic system and said fluid motor, an electrical operating system to control the operation of said pair of solenoid operated valves, means to charge fluid from said hydraulic system into said second accumulator when said first solenoid operated valve is deenergized, means to charge fluid from said second accumulator to said fluid motor to extend same and at the same time charge fluid from said pump to said iluid motor when said first valve is energized and one side of said second valve is energized, and means to charge fluid from said second accumulator to said fluid motor to retract same and at the same time charge fluid from said pump to said second accumulator when said first valve is de-energized and the opposite side of said second valve is energized.

5. The combination of a fluid motor and a first hydraulic fluid storage accumulator connected to said motor and a hydraulic system, said hydraulic system comprising a fluid reservoir connected to a small volume high pressure fluid pump, said pump driven by an electrical power motor, said iluid pump in turn connected to a fluid pressure regulator valve, said valve in turn being connected on its pressure side to a second fluid storage accumulator and to a check valve, said pressure regulator valve connected on its return side to the fluid reservoir, said hydraulic system connected to said rst fluid storage accumulator and to said fluid motor, a pair of solenoid operated valves, the rst solenoid operated valve being normally open and being connected between said hydraulic system and said second fluid storage accumulator, the second solenoid operated valve being normally in a neutral position and connected between said hydraulic system and said fluid motor, an electrical operating system to control the operation of said pair of solenoid operated valves, means to charge fluid from said system into said second accumulator when said first valve is de-energized, means to energize said second solenoid valve to one position to provide a large volume flow of fluid from said second accumulator to said fluid motor to extend said fluid motor, means to subsequently utilize said maximum pressure supplied by said pump to provide the full stroke of said fluid motor, and means to de-energize the rst valve and the one side of the said second mentioned solenoid operated valve and energize the opposite side of said second mentioned solenoid operated valve to connect said first mentioned accumulator to the,` opposite side of said fluid motor to retract said fluid motor to its original position and at the same time charge said second accumulator.

EDWARD M. GREER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,170,890 Allen Aug. 29, 1939 2,239,566 Mercier Apr. 22, 1941 2,365,091 Levy Dec. 12, 1944 2,392,471 Fox Jan, 8, 1946 

